Join additional computers to AD RMS cluster

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2

Because the configuration database schema has changed for AD RMS, and the remaining RMS servers will no longer process requests, you must immediately replace the RMS servers after the cluster is migrated to the first AD RMS server. To decrease downtime, we recommend that you have Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 (as the case may be) installed on at least half of the servers you will use in the migrated cluster so that you can quickly install AD RMS and join them to the AD RMS cluster at the same time. Additionally, you should ensure that any Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates are imported into the new servers and that your network load balancing (NLB) environment is configured appropriately.

The instructions to prepare new servers are the same as the procedures in Install Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 on a new computer and Install AD RMS and join computer to existing RMS cluster. To prepare existing servers, you should first uninstall the operating system and then follow the procedures for a new computer.